Walmart's Asda forced to repay suppliers

UK: Asda encourages shoppers to try veganism
Supermarket Asda has published a seven-day vegan challenge in its latest issue of Asda Good Living Magazine. The feature includes practical tips and daily meal ideas for those wanting to give plant-based eating a try. Asda chef Andrew Johnson has taken on the vegan challenge himself, with the September magazine following him day-by-day. Earlier this year, Asda became the first supermarket to commit to using the official 'Vegan' trademark on its produce. (plantbasednews.org)

Aldi Nord launches new Poland strategy
Discounter Aldi Nord has unveiled a new strategy for the Polish market, according to Planet Retail. The news portal reported that the new strategy will see the discounter’s assortment expanded to 1,700 products, as well as see store upgrades and a better focus on fresh products. Value will remain the cornerstone of Aldi’s offer in the country, with more than 100 promotions pledged to be rolled out each week. (esmmagazine.com)

UK: Asda forced to repay suppliers
Asda has been forced to pay back hundreds of thousands of pounds to dozens of suppliers after breaching an industry code governing fair dealing. The company, named as the worst supermarket in its treatment of suppliers earlier this year, was found to have demanded upfront payments worth up to a quarter of the value of annual sales of particular products in order for suppliers to retain their place on the shelf. Some of those who refused to make these payments, which were greater than those agreed in suppliers’ contracts, were given notice that they would be ousted within as little as four to eight weeks, according to the industry watchdog. (theguardian.com)

New era at Shoprite as Wiese and Steinhoff take full control
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Iowa Hy-Vee sources ultra-local produce from store 'grow walls'
A Hy-Vee store in Davenport, Iowa grows up to 15 pounds of produce each week on hydroponic “grow walls” positioned outside the store and inside the produce department, according to Inhabitat. Basil, lettuce and mint are raised on the grow walls. Fridays Fresh Market, which built the grow walls out of recycled plastic bags and installed them in the store, also maintains the walls and picks and packages the produce. FFM’s hydroponic process grows produce faster and uses 90% less water than traditional growing methods, according to owner Andrew Freitag. (fooddive.com)

US: SpartanNash expands click-and-collect program
Regional retailer SpartanNash has partnered with digital solutions provider Unata to launch a click-and-collect program, according to a company release. SpartanNash launched its click-and-collect program, called Fast Lane, at a Family Fare Supermarket location in Grandville, Michigan in July. The company has since launched the service in 10 more locations and plans to expand to up to 50 stores by year’s end. (fooddive.com)

US: Kroger & Walmart offer Pickup for eMeals kit service
Kroger and Walmart are the first food retailers offering curbside pickup for a meal-kit-building service that claims to be the first offering choose-your-food-style kits and working with local grocery pickup and delivery partners. Available for purchase online and pickup in-store at the Cincinnati- and Bentonville, Ark.-based retailers' stores – as well as for delivery via San Francisco-based service Instacart – eMeals says it offers meal kits at up to half the cost of those from competing services today. (progressivegrocer.com)

US: Vegetables recall expands to Walmart and Publix
Country Fresh brand diced vegetables and pre-skewered kabobs sold at Southeastern Grocers, Publix, and Walmart stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi have been recalled because they might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Products include mixed stir fry vegetables, fajita blend vegetables, premade kabobs, and plastic clamshell containers of diced peppers. They were sold under the Country Fresh, Kabob Sensations, and Marketside brand names. (wtvy.com)

US: Smart & Final launches delivery e-commerce site
Smart & Final Stores has launched its own delivery platform at shop.smartandfinal.com. Powered by Instacart, the technology-driven, nationwide on-demand grocery delivery service. The e-commerce website is part of a renewed collaboration between Smart & Final and Instacart, who announced today they have signed an expanded partnership contract. Smart & Final customers across Arizona, California and Nevada can now visit shop.smartandfinal.com to fill their virtual carts including farmer's market fresh produce. (prnewswire.com)